Taking a Pregnant Pause

Many kind folks in and around town these last few weeks have inquired about my burgeoning baby bump, and while personally it seems like I've been pregnant forever, the day has finally arrived for me to step back from my duties here at Enumclaw Patch and prepare for the arrival of my new little one.

It's an odd feeling to let go of this website, even for just the duration of my maternity leave, as in many ways it also feels like my baby -- one that I helped conceive a little over six months ago, build and then nurture as best I could. I'm so thankful to so many in the community who have come to embrace this new online resource for Enumclaw.

And I'm equally grateful to Steve Powell, a great Pacific Northwest journalist, who has agreed to take over the management of the site while I'm away focusing on my family. A product of Green River Community College and Washington State University, Steve's journalism background includes newspapers in northern California as well as The Everett Herald (he handled my internship application there) and The Olympian (he was the city editor who helped guide me as a fledgling online reporter).

Over the years, circumstances have found us taking separate paths but I've always looked to him as a mentor in this industry -- a supportive teacher who encourages journalists to ask tough questions all the while looking for those great stories to tell in whatever community they cover.

A native of nearby Puyallup, Steve's already written several freelance pieces for Enumclaw Patch and enthuses about the opportunity to work in a town that reminds him of his own hometown when he was little.

I know Enumclaw Patch is in good hands under Steve's leadership.

Meanwhile, I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind Patch readers that while local news is a big component of the site as a whole --  and we'll continue to strive to bring you all the relevant news you need to know about your community, it is also your space to interact with your fellow residents online.

What can you do? Comment on stories, share your opinion, post photos and announcements and add your events to the community calendar. to learn about all the ways you can claim Enumclaw Patch as your go-to space for all things local.

On that note, I wish all of you a wonderful summer and look forward to reconnecting this fall.